Should I Be Offended?...Is that Going To Offend People?

This is a subject I've been contemplating in my head a lot recently. It's such a sensitive issue. Ironic huh? The fact that so many people can have the same views as you yet that same amount have the opposite. What do you do? Stay quiet? Some people do. For argument's sake, I tend to throw my hat in the ring if I'm fully behind my belief and/or opinion. That rubs some people the wrong way, that's ok I'm running for a popularity contest. I do like to be liked, just like everyone else but I wont compromise my opinions so I can be liked.


Which brings me back to my topic. People are too sensitive these days. Everything bothers people. Weather, sports, politics, work, peers, coffee, holidays. You name it, someone's offended. In this day in age, we all have to be politically correct. Why? So we can get more Facebook and Instagram likes?? Who are we trying to impress? Why does that matter? Aren't we all at this point of our lives by doing things our way anyway? So why are we getting so offended by bullshit?




I'll give you some examples.

Example 1:

Simon Malls Holiday Display

Boycotting Simon Malls for their generic "Holiday display". They claim they wanted to create a more modern holiday experience. How are you going to modernize an old jolly fat guy in red suit? Is he going to be Justin Beiber with a six pack and a nicely trimmed beard? No! Leave it alone. There's nothing to modernize about Christmas. I get that there are people that don't celebrate the holiday but instead of pissing off the majority of the country that does, why don't we incorporate more? Not for nothing, but every religion does get their time to celebrate their big days of the year. It just so happens that Christmas IS the money making "day" that businesses spend months on preparing for. Money talks. Whether you agree with the greed behind the concept or not, it's the truth and it's what makes America the greatest and most hated country in the world. I was in favor of the boycott. While I hate the commercialization of  Christmas and the "What are you getting me " I do like the season, the music, the decorations, the cold, the snow that comes along with it. If it didn't then it's just another day turning into another week, turning into another month. Nothing wrong with wanting to make something feel special. Christmas is something that should feel special, not generic.

Starbucks 2015 Red Cups

Example 2:


Starbucks removed "Holiday themed decorations" on their cups and now all we're left with is plain red cups. Starbucks is claiming they want the consumer to use the extra space to use it as a canvas and decorate the cup as they wish. This is with the hopes of people taking to social media and posting their "personalized design" all the while promoting Starbucks in the process. Genius or a clever escape from controversy? I'm in the middle here. I love the "Holiday Season" so anything that makes it more generic I'm against but I'm going to take a wait and see approach here. While I don't think it really matters wtf Starbucks does because I'm only a consumer 2-3 months out of the year when they have their Valencia Orange Refresher in the summer and their Peppermint Mocha during the holidays, I do like the idea that those two items are significant staples of their respective seasons.

Example 3:




2015 NY Mets Failed To Win The World Series

The NY Mets recently made a run into the World Series and unfortunately came up short on their quest for a championship. This was BY FAR one of the most ridiculous and fun occurrences to happen in recent times. I am a die hard Yankees fan, to the point that anyone who knows me KNOWS this. There are not many things that I am passionate about, but the Yankees are one. I grew up idolizing Derek Jeter. The fame, the fortune, the dream of playing for your favorite team to come true with the absurd amount of success he has had. It just fills you up with jealousy, envy and amazement. I digress. So the time came where the Mets were the ones everyone was talking about. I was too, but I was going against them. I couldn't stand to see the "other" team in NY win while my team was out before the tournament even started. So it began, the banter. LETS GO METS...METS SUCK. For 4 weeks this went on and it felt like an eternity. I was just waiting for the Mets to die. They wouldn't. So I did everything I could to defend my Yankees. I went toe to toe with many Met fans. The general public who stood in the middle of the debate without a clear cut side said I should root for the Mets because it was NY. My answer was no. My answer was I was a Yankee fan. I was loyal to my team. They give me a team that I can be proud to root for every year. I wasn't going to cheat on them just because my "girlfriend" wasn't home and the Mets were right there. To this, it angered most people. First , why? It's my opinion. Second, what was wrong with showing loyalty? Third, people got so offended I was called names and got unfriended on social media. Uh-oh...oh no! Give me a break. You offended that a Yankee fan wanted the Mets to lose? Wow. Most people just take it as good ol' smack talk bur others took it personal, to the heart, and to the brain. I was shocked that people called me ignorant because I was being faithful to the team I love. But it showed that people take some things too seriously and sports shouldn't be one of them.

I could go on and on about all three subjects but honestly, I've spent enough time on them. EX1 I sided with the offended, EX2 I was in the middle, EX3 I was against the offended. Truth be told, all three are topics that some people got offended by and all three are topics people are just rolling their eyes at wondering why we're even wasting time on it. Everyone has a right to be offended, if they feel like there's a legit reason but if you have no reason to be offended then stop complaining and do something to help better the situation.

Until next time....